Category: Grainfill

Nutrients leave the paddock with the grain. A good yield means more nutrients go out and less remain in the soil. Some nutrients may need topping up to maintain yields.
How much topping up?
Different grains contain varying amounts of nutrients. The table below gives estimates of the nutrients removed in […]

Trials looking at placing nitrogen fertiliser into the soil have shown some different outcomes. In the southern region adding mid-row banding (MRB) to the crop nutrition toolkit looks interesting. A trial showed modest yield gains and better fertiliser uptake. In the northern region, rate looks more important than how nitrogen […]

Stubbles can be a source of nutrients for next season. Different crops grown under different conditions have varying amounts of nutrients in their stubbles. Nutrient budgets can consider the amount and type of stubble.
How much stubble?

Stubble loads can be estimated from grain yield and the amount of growth. For cereals, […]

Over 7000 people engaged with the MPCN Northern Region program in 2012 – 2015. The More Profit for Crop Nutrition (MPCN) program aimed to improve returns from fertiliser. The program funded research and extension on soil and crop nutrition. The e-Extension and Training projects integrated the latest advice. Growers and […]

Crop damage caused by frost looks a lot like copper deficiency. Leaf damage extends back from the tip of the leaf. Damage to seed heads can be easily confused too. Other than similar symptoms, there’s little evidence yet to link frost and copper deficiency.
The location of damage can help with […]

Crops may source much of their nitrogen (N) from in-crop mineralisation (ICM) of soil organic matter. Of total crop N at harvest, an estimated average 63% came from ICM in a recent Victorian study. Total crop N includes grain, straw and roots. Root N is about 10% of grain and […]

Do you want to help with crop nutrition research? One of the GRDC’s latest research projects (UQ00082) needs nutrient deficient trial sites. The trial sites will help develop guidelines for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and sulfur (S) for broad-leaved crops in eastern Australia.
For cereals, we know the […]

Some significant global premiums are emerging for high protein wheat grades. These international prices are starting to flow through to domestic wheat prices. Prime hard wheat (standard is a minimum 13% protein) was recently quoted at a premium of $85/tonne over APW wheat (10.5% protein, 5% screenings, 12.5% moisture) in […]

Grain zinc (Zn) content is important for seedling vigour. Make sure grain Zn levels are adequate if you are saving grain to seed next season’s crop. Retaining seed grown on Zn sufficient paddocks can reduce the risk of Zn deficiency in young crops.
Less than 500 micrograms Zn per seed […]

The yields of ‘break crops’ are more important to farm incomes with higher prices for some non-cereal crops. In 2017, 22.5 million hectares were sown to winter crops. Over 20% – 4.7 million ha – were non-cereals. In the period leading up until 2011, break crops were around 14% of […]